Let those who don't need RM100 aid return it, says MCA
PETALING JAYA : MCA has called on the government to introduce a mechanism that would allow Malaysians who do not need the RM100 one-off cash aid announced this morning to return the funds.
In a Facebook post, MCA president Wee Ka Siong said the returned funds could be channelled to healthcare and education.
Wee said the funds could be used to expedite elective treatments for 15,000 patients at government hospitals, some of whom face a waiting period of up to 21 months.
The money could also be used to offer scholarships to straight-A Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia students as well as Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia and matriculation graduates with excellent CGPAs, he said.
'Rather than spending public money that may benefit those who don't really need it, wouldn't it be better to support those who genuinely do, while also upgrading our healthcare and education systems?
'It will be a win-win solution. The people get to choose, and the government wins too!' he said.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced the one-off cash aid for all Malaysians aged 18 and above, under the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah initiative.
The money, which will be channelled through recipients' MyKad, is in conjunction with the National Day celebration, he said.
In a special televised announcement, Anwar said the aid could be used between Aug 31 and Dec 31 to purchase basic necessities from over 4,100 outlets, including hypermarkets such as Mydin, Lotus, Econsave, and 99 Speedmart.
He said the government had set aside RM2 billion for the initiative, which is expected to benefit some 22 million citizens.
Wee said he believed that Anwar, his ministers and elected representatives would be willing to forgo the RM100.
'I will be the first to contribute mine,' he said.
In a separate statement, Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) said it welcomed the reduction in RON95 prices and the RM100 one-off grocery aid but stressed that these measures would only provide temporary relief for low-income households.
PSM deputy chairman S Arutchelvan said that instead of one-off handouts, a universal basic income and a pension scheme for the elderly would have a more lasting impact.
He also proposed doubling the public healthcare budget and increasing the minimum wage, while supporting small businesses with transition subsidies.
'These structural reforms would provide more sustainable benefits than one-off handouts. We urge the government to implement policies that permanently reduce the cost of living and address wealth inequality at its roots,' said Arutchelvan.
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